Closing in on Tenet "The senate intelligence Committee is getting closer to delivering a scathing report on the CIA's prewar intelligence on Iraq. Sources tell Time that the assessment, which is nearing completion, is so tough that it is sowing doubt even among longtime fans of CIA Director George Tenet. One panel member dodged a question from Time about whether the member still had full confidence in the director, saying Tenet "has done incredible things" for the CIA but adding, "This is not going to be a happy report." ...."posted by Postroad (19 comments total)

This is just inside beltway banter we don't know really the impact of the report until it is released. Postroad I think you should work in DC you would thrive on the gamesmanship.posted by stbalbach at 4:29 PM on May 23, 2004

“There has been poor strategic thinking in this,” says Zinni. “There has been poor operational planning and execution on the ground. And to think that we are going to ‘stay the course,’ the course is headed over Niagara Falls. I think it's time to change course a little bit, or at least hold somebody responsible for putting you on this course. Because it's been a failure.”

speaking of heads rolling, anthony zinni joins the list of former bushies calling bullshit on the war and the clowns in the pentagon.posted by specialk420 at 5:17 PM on May 23, 2004

I'm happy with Tenet getting the ax, as long as Bush, Rumsfeld, Rice, Bremer, etc. follow. Otherwise, it's just another sham meant to pin the entire blame for this (let's put it bluntly) treason on one person.

This isn't a "failure" - on the contrary. I think they managed to accomplish quite a bit of what the Bush administration was hoping for in terms of strategy. Problem is, they're like Underwear Gnomes now - they're busily executing step 1, they've decided step 3 is meant to be Pax Americana, but no one knows what in the hell step 2 is...and they've not yet figured it out.

what kinda f$^%(# link is this...posty, learn some proper cut and paste.

clowns in the pentagon.

the worlds largest building has clowns? Are these clowns limited to small, painted cars and balloon art or would this building house those...Simply amazing.

ummm, yeah.

ok. I suppose someone has to do some limited thinking.

CIA and or other intel agencies get the skinny that Al-Qaida members have entered the U.S. even though they are on a "watch" list. (see Geo. Tenets comments during the 9-11 hearings for explanation of this term) CIA in turn needs/has/must inform FBI whom picks up the case from there.
ok. so, what could have done to prevent the terrorists from executing their plan...watch them...right?

ok, they are being watched, most likely become aware of being watched, they go to the airport then board a plane THAT NEVER LANDS.

but (we) could have taped their phones and searched their premises, say 24/7 surveillance most likely requiring about 75 agents and interpreters.

Would it have been better to just circumvent the constitution and just arrest or question them or even say "hi, just letting you know were watching you" this may have prevented 9/11 but imagine the lawsuits/outrage from these peoples rights being violated

we can't have that now
can we.posted by clavdivs at 5:49 PM on May 23, 2004

I'm sorry posty, was i being rude?posted by clavdivs at 5:53 PM on May 23, 2004

specialk420 - just for the record, Zinni has been loudly opposed to this war since long before it started. Not that anyone listened.posted by CunningLinguist at 5:59 PM on May 23, 2004

Bush can keep claiming "faulty intelligence" only as long as Tenet keeps backing him up... "Yup, sure was faulty!" This is why he will not be fired. No chance.posted by Civil_Disobedient at 6:56 PM on May 23, 2004

Metafilter has a very porous memory, to so quickly flush all rememberance of "The lie factory - "

The lie factory: only weeks after 9/11, the Bush administration set up a secret Pentagon unit to create the case for invading Iraq. Here is the inside story of how they pushed disinformation and bogus intelligence and led the nation to war"

Will Tenet choose to fall on his sword?

And, if so - What does Bush have on Tenet, to insure such servile acquiescence?posted by troutfishing at 8:21 PM on May 23, 2004

What does Bush have on Tenet,

maybe it's the other way aroundposted by matteo at 7:40 AM on May 24, 2004

The lie factory: only weeks after 9/11, the Bush administration set up a secret Pentagon unit to create the case for invading Iraq.

this is off-topic, but I was thinking about that today when this gem popped up in yahoo! news:

finally! I've been pretty harsh on the bush administration but I have to commend them on developing a "clear strategy" on Iraq. my only gripe is that they didn't do it before they god damn blew the place to hell.posted by mcsweetie at 9:32 AM on May 24, 2004

matteo - Well, that's what I thought too. But if so, why would Tenet be willing to take this impending heat? Why wouldn't he demand that the "Lie factory" folks be busted instead?

mcsweetie - I've got a clear strategy on Iraq. The US should get clear the hell out.posted by troutfishing at 10:02 AM on May 24, 2004

clear strategy on Iraq. The US should get clear the hell out.

too late, "you break it you buy it" is not Crate & Barrel policy as Powell suggested. but now it has to be America's policy. Iraq is the 51st State now (well if you don't count Israel, but one does not want to be accused of, what else, antisemitism by the usual hooligans). it's a bloody star on the American flag. somebody must try to fix it and jump-start some reasonably acceptable government before the Coalition of the Willing flees

ok. I suppose someone has to do some limited thinking.

indeed. somebody has.

"You are courageously leading our nation in the war against terror," Bush told Rumsfeld in a Wizard-of-Oz moment May 10, as Vice President Cheney, Secretary of State Colin Powell and senior generals looked on. "You are a strong secretary of Defense, and our nation owes you a debt of gratitude." The scene recalled another Oz moment: Nixon praising his enablers, Bob Haldeman and John Ehrlichman, as "two of the finest public servants I've ever known."
-- Carl Bernsteinposted by matteo at 6:37 PM on May 24, 2004

I don't care what you say, matteo, I'm not buying a new flag. I'm not repainting my truck. And I sure as hell ain't gonna get another star added to my tattoo.

His whole post strikes me as a little agenda-filter, courtesy of the Chinese and Korean Coalition of American Flagmakers. For shame!posted by graventy at 6:48 PM on May 24, 2004

matteo - Well, I agree with your point except to note that while the US has a responsibility to pay for the job of glueing Iraq back together again, Americans can no longer be the principle power players in this drama.

In Iraq, Americans are now radioactive and their continued presence will only make things worse - hotter, more poisonous, less stable.posted by troutfishing at 8:13 PM on May 24, 2004

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